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Help to choose: Bryce or Zion?

Hallo,
I will have a shortage of time while travelling in Utah and my schedule includes only 2 nights in the area of Bryce and Zion NPs. So, I have to make a choice. I will drive from Moab so, as far as I see Bryce is shorter to reach however, I would be able to spend 2 hours more to get to Zion.
So, what would you advise to choose from: Bryce OR Zion?

Depends on what you want to do. How many days are you in Moab? because there is a lot to do there and nearby. You could easily include Goblin Valley, Canyonlands, and Deadhorse Point there. Maybe even a day in Capitol Reef and some of Escalante.

Zion is a very pretty park. If you are adventurous, two of the top hikes are there. Angels Landing and The Narrows. There are several other good trails that aren't as wild or strenuous.

Bryce is one of the few places that I haven't been to in Utah, but plan on going this next year. The hiking there sounds really good and the hoodoos would be amazing.

Don't really think you can go wrong with either place or staying put in Moab and doing more there.

The two parks are really different and both amazing. I can't imagine having to choose, and I don't think you have to. You'll spend a full day driving from Moab to Bryce seeing some incredible scenery along the way. I hope you're planning to take Rte 24 to Rte 12.

If you spend your first night in Bryce, depending on the time of year you should have time to check out some overlooks/walk along the rim and even take a sunrise hike the next day. Then drive the gorgeous east entrance into Zion and spend the rest of that day seeing Zion. Normally I wouldn't recommend so little time in each place, but Bryce and Zion are so different and such a short distance apart (only 86 miles) that it really is worth seeing both. If you're like the rest of us, you'll be going back to Utah again on future trips. It's so addictive...

I ve been to both. IMO, I liked Zion better, however, it would be hard not to see both. Zion is big and grandiose, while Bryce Canyon is small and very unusual. Narrows and Angels Landing were my two favorite hikes at Zion. But, I also took the mule trip down into Bryce Canyon and that was an incredible experience. Depends what your looking for. If you have to decide between them, do some research on the parks and look at pictures and get a feel, then make your decision. But, I would be hard pressed not to see both of them. I would also say if you only have a night or so, then just do Bryce Canyon. Its smaller and you can get more out of it in a day than Zion. Zion in a day would be a waste of a trip to go there. You need at least two days or more. And Capitol Reef is absolutely amazing, no crowds, you have the whole place to yourself. Canyonlands and Arches NP out be Moab are awesome too.

Others have captured it well. If you have 2 nights, or anything close to that, I'd choose Zion. It's bigger and more varied, and therefore more interesting if you have more than a few hours to explore it. It is spectacularly beautiful.

Thank you for the replies. I will drive from the very East of the country (Washington DC) with an intention to have a trip over Colorado and Utah. My schedule is rather tight and at the same time, of course, I would like to see as much as possible, however I realize that each of the places is worth staying there a week as minimum. But I have what I have and my previous experience of travelling along the USA and Canada the latest 2 years proves it rational (I don't live in America and I come from far away). Within my days in Colorado and Utah I can redistribute my time to some extent between various places of interest and I would hope to do it according to your advice.
So, my itinerary on the West will include:
Manitou Springs, CO - 2 nights
Montrose, CO - 1 night
Moab - 2 nights
Bryce - 2 nights (1 night?)
Zion - 1 night (2 nights?)
Monument Valley - 2 nights (1 night?)
Mesa Verde - 2 nights (1 night?)
Santa Fe - 1 night, then driving back to the East
Will be glad to see your comments and recommendations. Thanks in advance

If you plan on seeing Bryce and Zion, you will need more time in Zion. You should see Goblin Valley, Capitol Reef Fruit Trees and hwy 12 on your way to Bryce. I think 1 night in Monument Valley would be plenty. What time of year are you doing this? What is in Montrose and Manitou Springs that interests you?

To spirobulldog:
Time: end July - August
In Manitou Springs I would look around to see the famous and picturesque Colorado mountains with ski resorts (with some idea to visit them some time later in winter), riding the Cog Railroad etc.
Montrose is supposed to be a stopover on the way to Moab.

While Zion is beautiful Bryce is far different than anything else. If you look back many years later, it's Bryce that you'll remember.

Having said that, this is what I would do.

If you get to Bryce late in the day (try to get in-park lodging) get up early the next morning to see the sunrise at Bryce Point. After that grab a snack breakfast and hike down Navajo Loop (starts at Sunset Point) and back up Queen's Garden (ends at Sunrise Point. The two points are only a half mile apart so you can walk on the rim back to Sunset Point to get your car.

Then I would visit one more viewpoint; Natural bridge. It's the only one that really different.

I would then leave for Zion and possibly go on the Canyon Overlook hike on the way into Zion's east entrance.

The Narrows (you're hiking in water) and Angel's Landing (way, way up) are for the adventuresome.

One more question? Do you like to do serious hiking? There is a huge variety of hiking to be done in the Utah Parks, everything from requiring ropes to a short stroll. All are very rewarding. I have been to many National Parks, and I am sure that most of my top hikes have all been in Utah. I have yet to hike the Navajo Loop/Queens Garden in Bryce, but that is the "must do" hike there.

If you have to decide between Bryce and Zion, I might lean more towards Bryce, simply because it will be cooler around August 1, than anywhere else on your agenda. That said, a hike in The Narrows would be wonderful in Zion to cool down. You will want to be out early and late and maybe take naps mid-day, or do something not to strenuous in the heat. Take water everywhere you go!!!

As everyone says, it is a tough call. Zion and Bryce are both WONDERFUL! We go to both parks frequently from Northern California, and Zion is the one where we spend most of our time. However, you should definitely go to Bryce as it is in line with the rest of your trip, and it is so unique! I recommend at least 1 walk down into the canyon (which isn't as hard as it sounds). It can be pretty hot in the summer, so take your walks in the early evening and in the early morning. One night might be enough if you explore Bryce this way and make full use of your time there. Then drive to Zion the following night. I'd spend a minimum of 2 nights in Zion, 3 would be better.
Santa Fe is quite a distance - perhaps you could save that for another trip?
If you can rework your schedule a little, you may enjoy your explorations more with 2 nights at Bryce and 3 (or 4) in Zion.

While 2 or more days would be a good amount of time to spend in Zion and one day is a good amount of time for Bryce Canyon, with two days you could potentially spend one day each in Bryce and Zion. They're close by each other, which would make such a day division easy to manage.

You could always decide to return on a later trip to Zion for more exploring if you want, and given that the park's not all that far from Las Vegas, it could easily be included as part of the trip to that city.

Ok, thank you all for the replies.
It seems I determine myself to spend 2 nights in each park (with 1 full day in each one plus one day to move from one to the other, so it makes three full days totally being there). Then I will have an overnight at the Monument Valley and then move to Mesa Verde (Cortez).
I understand that my following question has no relation to Utah but it relates to my itinerary: do you think Mesa Verde is worth staying there a full day (with 2 night lodging) or it would be better to spend one day more in Zion or Bryce or Arches?
To elnap29: as to Santa Fe I consider it just as an overnight stop on my return driving to Washington, DC.

Now your talking. Mesa Verde is definately worth a full day, you won't be able to see it all in 1 day, but will get a lot of it in. See as many of the ruins(houses) as possible, most are done with a ranger, but there is one or two that is self-guided. Maybe you could give us a little more about your itnerary and what you plan to do in each place. It is a little hard knowing how long to tell you to stay at one place until we know your interests? Hiking is the thing to do at most of your spots and there is a lot that could be seen from point to point. I think a full day @ Bryce and part of a day at Monument Valley with what I think you are doing. Zion, Moab need more than a day. Mesa Verde a day is enough to get a good taste of it. Of course, any of these spots could easily take several days.

Since your original statement says you have a shortage of time, it might be better to just stay in 1 or 2 places and really experience them. I will rank them in the order that I like them. How many days in Moab do you plan to spend? Do you plan to see anything between Moab and Bryce? What are your main interest? are you adventurous?

You have some excellent places to visit, just need to figure out how to best use your time to get the maximum benefits. I think this sounds like an awesome trip.

Thank you, spirobulldog, for your kind interest.
I am planning my third trip to the USA for the next summer having experience of two previous successful journeys of the same kind. I live in Russia and I love the US and try to spend my 3- or 4-week vacation to see as much as possible there. I travel with my wife and daughter of 11.
My itinerary is as follows:
Our starting point is Rockville, MD where our friends live. We leave them on July 24.
We drive to Colorado via St. Louis and Kansas City and arrive at Manitou Springs on July 27 in the evening. I chose Manitou because it is not a big city and is situated in the mountains. Besides, we would wish to take a trip on the Pikes Peakes Cog Railroad and look around at the local attractions. So I count for 2 nights there.
Then we drive to Moab with an overnight stop around Montrose.
At the Arches park I count for 2 nights with 1 full day.
Then going to Bryce + Zion (2 nights in each with totally 3 days in this area)
Then driving to Mesa Verde with an overnight at the Monument Valley.
At Mesa Verde I plan to stay 2 nights (1 full day) and then start back to the East.
I see our way back by a road different from that we used from Rockville to Colorado: Santa Fe, Oklahoma City, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville (or Asheville or something around). Our target is a beach on the Atlantic shore where we would stay for two full days before going to our "base" in Rockville. I am not determined as to Nashville: whether it is worth staying for a night or we will not take a sin if missing it (adding one day for Utah or an Atlantic beach).

I am not a serious hiker however, I like and able to walk long distances and for long time (so is my family). I am not an "extremal" fan. I had some experience in white water cayaking but now I am not into it. Also, a kid with us should be taken into account as well as hot weather in August.

Our interest is to see unique natural places, get impressions and to feel their "spirit" making them a part of our souls. Also, my hobby is making films and I hope to take nice video foorings for that as well as photo shooting. The latest 2 years we were at Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Yosemite, Niagara Falls and other wonderful places in the USA and Canada.

I now get the whole picture, it does seem like you have a doable plan. More driving and less time at places than what I like to do, but you will get to see the highlights. Memphis, St. Louis, and Kansas City are all famous for BBQ, however, they are all very different. Don't miss the Arch in St. Louis. The drive in Kansas will be very boring.

I would probably skip Nashville and add a day into Moab. 1 day isn't enough.

Here would be my plan from Moab to Mesa Verde
Day 1- Arches National Park- in the Morning see
see Double Arch, Balanced Rock, and a short easy hike to Landscape Arch, and whatever else in the park that interests you. You might want to drive mid-day out to Deadhorse Point State Park, which overlooks Canyonlands National Park. This would keep you out of the hot part of the day. Then return to Arches that evening and hike to Delicate Arch. This is uphill somewhat strenuous, but easy coming back

Day 2 Drive to Bryce- Take HWY 24 and HWY 12. Stop for a short 1 hour visit at Goblin Valley in the morning. Stop and have lunch at the picnic area in Capitol Reef. There is a really nice Fruit Orchard there. You can pick whatever fruit is in season and eat it for free. There is a small house that sells outstanding homemade pies. The drive to Bryce from Capitol Reef is on HWY 12. One of the best in the US
You might want to eat dinner @ Hell's Backbone Grill. Watch the Sunset at Bryce

Day 3 Bryce- Hike Navajo Loop/Queens Garden
probably would want to see a sunrise in Bryce
Night Sky with a Park Ranger

Day 4 and 5 Zion-Hike Emerald Pools, hike The Narrows, Angels Landing is a great hike- a little adventurous and it is strenuous- allow 5-6 hours for this one

Day 6 & 7 Monument Valley- might want to take a tour here
This area isn't your standard US- it is on an Indian
Reservation and is different. I am sure the new hotel
has probably improved the overall image.

Day 9 & 10 You might want to check out The Great Sand Dunes in Colorado on your return. The drive through Texas and Oklahoma is boring. I live in Oklahoma.

You might want to include Black Canyon of the Gunnison, which is very near Montrose.

Buy a National Park Pass and save a lot of money. The only thing that really concerns me, is I hope you realize that it can be very hot in Utah at this time of year. Have you been in the heat before? This would be in the 35-40 Celsius Range. I have been to all of the places I mention, except bryce. I have been to Kansas City, Memphis, Nashville several time.

Spirobulldog, thanks for the detailed advice, I will surely have it in mind while planning.

I guess that the best choice is to stay at the lodge inside the Bryce park (the same is about the Zion park). But it is quite expensive and I would consider some places like Tropic where cheaper cabins and motels can be found. It seems to be not far from the entrance to the park. Would you advise to use a shuttle bus in the park or to drive in our car?

During our travel in 2008 we were in the Death Valley in August and it was over 50 Celsius degrees. But of course, we did not have any hiking there. So, we have some experience and we take it into consideration having water with us on our way. I suppose that humidity is quite low there and heat can be withstood easily.

Thanks for the tip about the Park Pass.

I am ready for boring driving but as you can see, I can't help it. I got used to it at our 2 previous trips. Hope for a help from my wife.

My husbsnd and I have traveled to all the places you list. Your plan is well thought out. Go for it. Your three days for Bryce and Zion are perfect. We were there in Sept except we spent 2 nights at Bryce then left for Santa Fe. The Bryce formations are best seen in the early morning and late afternoon...sun angles provide the colors. We then when over to Zion for the whole day...the driving in that area is very scenic.

Go to Mesa Verde and then on to Sante Fe. That is also a great plan...we have done that exact route. Sante Fe is unique...try to stay close to the plaza and spend you time exploring the Plaza and Canyon Road. From there you can head across Texas and Oklahoma, yes it is somewhat boring, but for a visitor that doen't see it with local eyes and every day, it does have some interest. I live in Texas.

As for on toward the east. Going across Tenn. is an easy and pretty drive on I-40. My family is from the Ashville area and there is much to see there, you might try to have at least an overnight there. Do early tour of Biltmore House, America's castle. Then head out doing a detour on you way east going up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Drive it at least to Marion in North Carolina. You can pick up I-40 if you want to there. You will get a taste of one of the nicest scenic drives in the eastern US.

Making sure you're well hydrated is good to keep in mind, as most of this area is arid to varying degrees and you can dehydrate faster than you realize. The smartest thing is to drink mouthfuls of water throughout the day, even if you don't feel especially thirsty.

In addition, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are a must, as it's very easy to get anything from sunburn to heatstroke otherwise. Pace yourself as well hiking -- these parks are gorgeous and you'll want to savor their unique beauty, plus it helps keep you from over-exerting in this hot weather.

I would stay in the park if possible. You can drive your car @ Bryce and Mesa Verde. In Zion, you will not be able to drive your car unless you stay at the Lodge. Even then, you will use the shuttle as it is mandatory there. Actually, this is a very very good thing. I wish all of the crowded parks, especially somewhere like Zion or Yosemite required this- only one road in and out equals traffic traffic. You can find some reasonable stays at Rubys-just outside of Bryce. You might try staying in one of there tents for something different and inexpensive. At Zion- you might stay in Springdale, which is just at the entrance. At Mesa Verde, the only place to stay is The Far View Lodge. It is a long way for a place to stay outside of the Mesa Verde. We stayed at a camping cabin in Monument Valley. It was not much, but it was a bargain.

A boring drive isn't so bad. You will only be bored a couple of days on your 3 weeks. I live in eastern Oklahoma, the really boring part is western Oklahoma and Kansas. I live right on the Oklahoma/Arkansas border and is very scenic in this area.

That is a nice area, we like to camp in nw Arkansas. So we try to go different ways coming and going. East and west Texas are nice too, it is just the miles of flat land that we share with you that get old after a while.

Bostock,

July and August are prime times in our National Parks so try for reservation if you plan on staying in the park lodges or anywhere near the parks.

This past summer, we camped just outside of the Bryce gate at Ruby's, the motel part looked very nice. There are several other motels right outside the gate also. Any would be good for visiting Bryce. Sorry I don't remember the names, but google the park and some links should come up for accommodations near the park.

There are also motels near the Zion visitors center, in Springdale but again outside of the park. Unfortunately as stated above there isn't anything near the Mesa Verde entrance.

Another thing to check out for reasonable priced accommodations is the KOA camp sites...they have cottages that are rustic but OK. The camp grounds have laundry rooms and usually have pools. Not sure if there are any actually along your route, but we camped at KOA’s when getting from point A to point B on our long trip this past summer. There are KOA’s near some of the national parks. We stayed in one at Glacier National Park and one near Cody, WY. Check their website for the locations; they are located all over the country.

On your way from Mesa Verde to Santa Fe, stop in at Bandelier NM. Route 550 to 501 to 502 to 4 gets you there in less than 5 hours and it is less than an hour from SF. It is a fantastic look at a different kind of housing for the ancients, homes carved into hardened volcanic ash on the mountainside. Nice hiking trails there and probably not as crowded as MV.

I spent two nights at Zion and one night at Bryce. Now, of course I got to Zion in the late morning. So, i pretty much had two days there. I would not reccomend any lesser amount of time. But, I also did the mule trip at Bryce. But, I arrived there VERY early in the morning to do it. I recall leaving Zion at like 5:30 in the morning or so, Bryce is 80 miles away, it took me an hour and a half to get there. But, that gave me a FULL day at Bryce. I would not reccomend anything less than that for Bryce Canyon. Capitol Reef, Goblin Valley, etc are very beautiful off the beating path kind of places. But, keep in mind that Utah is Jammed packed of very scenic places. There is no possible way to see it all even after many trips there. Since this is your first time to Utah and your short of time, I would suggest you focus on the highlights like Zion and Bryce. Arches and Deadhorse Point SP in Moab are the highlights there and of course right adjacent to Deadhorse Point is the Island of the Sky District of Canyonlands NP. I would focus your trip on the state of Utah for that matter. I ve been to many states in the US and there was not one place I was in Utah that there was not spectacular scenery. But, I like the feeling of reading a travel magazine or book or looking at professional photography and being able to say ive been there. So, I always make sure I see the highlights if its my first time then go back and see lesser known places.

PS: As far as places to stay, I stayed at the Rubys Inn at Bryce and for Zion I stayed at one of the hotels just south of the park entrance. Theyre not inside the park, but just right outside, but I ll think you ll find these places very convienent. Rubys Inn is almost walking distance to the park entrance. Although, some people give it bad reviews, I actually really liked it there and I think its nicer than the lodge in the park. Springdale is about a mile or two south of the Zion Park entrance. For Mesa Verde, I stayed at one of the hotels in Cortez, Colorado, which is also convienent to Mesa Verde, I think it was like 10 miles awayy. That will further extend you lodging possibilities.

I have investigated the Ruby's Inn web site, it looks fine, indeed. But right near it I found Bryce View Lodge. It seems not bad and it's cheaper than Ruby's by $80 - 100. Do you think it makes sense to save some money staying in the View Lodge?

We haven't stayed at Bryce View Lodge, but if you are trying to limit the cost of your trip, it certainly makes sense. The distance to the canyon rim is not very far, but you must drive in or take the shuttle (if it is operating), and then you will park your car inside the park and walk to the trailheads. There is not much lodging inside Bryce, so many people obviously stay at Ruby's or the place you mention.

For Zion, you can stay in the little town of Springdale. There is a range of options for lodging. We once stayed at Canyon Ranch Motel which was about $52 per night - we liked it quite well. There is a grassy area in the center with picnic tables, a pool and a hot tub. There is a free shuttle to take you in and out of Zion Park from 7AM until 11PM at night, so staying outsisde the park is not a problem. We much prefer to stay inside the park at Zion Lodge in order to walk everywhere and be close to the shuttle stops. We like to break up our day with various hikes, and my favorite time to hike there is in the evening. But the lodge is about $160/night. The nice thing about staying in Springdale is that you are close to cheaper food options and you also have just as beautiful a setting as inside Zion Park!

We spent two nights at the Bryce View Lodge a couple of years ago. It's right across the street from Ruby's and we were allowed to use Ruby's pool and other amenities. Our room was clean and comfortable and we were happy with it.